Nevada Player Rankings Breakdown: Breakout Players
With the grassroots season over, it’s time to shift our focus to the high schools. After watching so many games, studying so many stats, and reviewing so much film, there are a few players I’m sure are poised to have…
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Continue ReadingWith the grassroots season over, it’s time to shift our focus to the high schools. After watching so many games, studying so many stats, and reviewing so much film, there are a few players I’m sure are poised to have breakout seasons. In this article, PH takes a look at some of them.
Damion Byrd 5’10 PG Silverado 2022 – I’ve been high on Byrd ever since I saw him make a 75 footer to win a game last year. Don’t believe me click here. They say that players bring scouts, because of Martell Williams, I got to watch a lot of Byrd. His intangibles are his strongest traits. He’s a natural leader who players gravitate to. Williams specifically told me that the team had “complete trust” in him from day 1. That’s rare to hear about a freshmen, especially coming from the states leading scorer. With his ability to penetrate and dish and with the type of talent he has around him, I expect his numbers to go up across the board.
2018 – 2019 Stats: 5.5ppg 1.5rpg 1.3apg .7spg 1.8tpg
2019 – 2020 Projected Stats: 9.9ppg 3rpg 5.5apg 1.5spg 1.8tpg
Mikey Medlock 6’2 Arbor View 2020 – This one isn’t a pure numbers play. Arbor View is losing 6 seniors from last year’s. Northwest Mountain Champs. They still have UNLV commit Donovan Yap, and Larry Holmes. There should be minutes available for Medlock on a team that is probably going to be playing into March. If there is, I think he is going to surprise a lot of people. The lefty can shoot it, and he’s good enough to put the ball down and make plays for his teammates. I can see him being the type of guy that knocks down one big shot a game. With Arbor View expected to have another good season, he’ll probably get the opportunity to do it in a few big games.
2018 – 2019 Stats: 2.4ppg 0.5rpg
2019 – 2020 Projected Stats: 9ppg 4rpg 1.5apg 0.5spg
Jason Simms 6’1 PG Faith Lutheran 2020 – With the four leading scorers from last year’s team all graduated, someone has to step up. Simms is a good candidate. He is going to have to share the ball with Azavier Johnson, however he can shoot it, so he should be able to space the floor. He’s actually a drive first player that can use both hands to finish around the rim, and he has a little runner that he uses for intermediate shots.
2018-2019 Stats 2.2ppg 1.2rpg 0.5apg 0.4spg 0.8tpg
2019 – 2020 Projected Stats 12.4 ppg 2.5rpg 1.5apg 1tpg
Joshua Jefferson 6’6 SF Liberty 2022– It should be a breakout season for Jefferson. The 6’6 F has been tearing up the circuit this summer. He is a big time talent that should have an immediate impact. He has fabulous feet, and finishes nicely around the rim with both hands. There’s no reason he can’t end up being the best offensive post player in the state by year’s end. He’s also nice with the dribble. He uses the bounce to set up several of his post moves. He didn’t even play varsity last year and the rumor is that he has grown another inch. Number wise if he stays healthy he will probably have the largest statistical increase.
2018-2019 Stats N/A
2019-2020 Projected Stats: 15ppg 6rpg 0.5apg 1.5bpg
Dontrell Johnson 6’2 SF Bonanza 2022 – I’ve watched Johnson play all summer. His game is typical for a player that was tall in Junior high but stopped growing. He’s still playing more of a low post position, however he can score by slashing through the lane. In the next few years, he’s going to have to refine his outside shot and overall perimeter game. Fortunately for him he will have the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in the state in Kevin Soares.
2018 – 2019 Stats N/A
2019 – 2020 Projected Stats: 11ppg 4rpg 1.5spg
Cameron Kimble 6’4 SG Clark 2021 – Kimble is a no brainer for a breakout season. He was a key contributor on a 4A state runner up squad last season. That squad is losing 8 seniors and all everything C/O 2021 Guard Frankie Collins. It’s going to be Kimble’s show to run. The 6’4 shooter is in the absolute perfect situation to go off. A tall guard that is going to be a match-up nightmare. Most teams are going to have to use a Big on him, which he’s easily going to mix out on the perimeter. Against small quick guards, he’s going to use his two dribble game to get to his spot and shoot over them.
2018 – 20019 Stats 7.5ppg 1.9rpg 0.8apg 0.9spg
2019 – 2020 Projected Stats: 20ppg 4rpg 1apg 0.8apg